How can I backup a remote SQL Server database to a local drive?

Question

I need to copy a database from a remote server to a local one. I tried to use SQL Server Management Studio, but it only backs up to a drive on the remote server.

Som

Answer 1

I'm astonished that no-one has mentioned the scripted backup solution offered by Ola Hallengren which absolutely does allow you to backup a DB from a remote server to a UNC path on your network for free (I'm actually using it as I type to backup a DB from a dev server to which I have no remote access other than through SSMS to a share on my dev PC). This has been available since 2008 and works on SQL Server 2005 through to 2014.

You need to ensure that the share you set up has enough access: I tend to allow full read/write to the 'Everyone' AD group for the duration of the backup process because I'm too lazy to figure out anything more restrictive but that's personal choice.

It's well-used, well-documented and very flexible. I tend to put the procs and the logging table in their own little utility database and then fire it up. Provided everything is in your AD domain and not remote in the sense that it's out on a co-located server or something, this works very well.

Apologies for adding to a very old thread but I came across this when looking for something else and figured it was a worthwhile addition for anyone looking for this topic.